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Read More March 6, 2003 Part 1
By Bandit |
Daytona 2003 – Spaghetti Wrestling. Photo By Rogue.
I try to learn something every day. I never considered myself much of a writer, so I read books about expanding my vocabularly and about writing styles. Almost weekly I learn something about the new King, welding or building bikes. Once in a while I learn something I don’t want to know.
Yesterday an old school pinstriper came by to stripe my new, almost all black Harley mags. I thought this was going to be a breeze. The spoke area is black and the rims aluminum. I was going to have a stripe run around the edge of the black. The striper, George, of Wild Brush, informed me that you can’t stripe aluminum. It won’t stick but chip off in short order. Well, so much for that plan. On the other hand, he looked at our new Miller MIG welder and told me to clean the brass gas guide. He told me there’s a tool for the process and that if I spray the guide with a sillicon spray it won’t collect slag as readily. He also told me that if I spray an area to be welded with the silicone that slag won’t stick and make weld-cleaning a fasters/easier process.
See, ya can learn something everyday, even if it’s bad news. While I go back to the drawing board, let’s get to the news:
CARLISLE BIKE FEST–Join the Wild Ride at Carlisle Summer Bike FestSecond annual event to be even bigger and better.
CARLISLE, PA – Carlisle Summer Bike Fest takes off again with moreactivities, special guests, entertainment and, of course, more bikes! Thesecond annual event takes place July 25-27, 2003, and more than 35,000guests are expected to attend. Carlisle Summer Bike Fest is held inconjunction with Summer Carlisle Cool Car Cruise-In, featuring street rods,customs, classics and muscle cars.
All motorcycle riders are welcome to park on the show field at no extracharge. Just pay the admission fee and ride onto the grounds. Clubs wishingto park together should call Tiffany Moyer at (717) 243-7855, ext. 121.
Special attractions this year include return visits from Chef Biker Billy,who literally “cooks with fire”. Biker Billy’s (www.bikerbilly.com) recipes are so hot, theBurpee seed company named a hybrid jalape?o pepper after him. Other guestswill be the Star Boyz stunt riders (www.starboyz.com), whose insane antics on theirfur-coveredmotorcycles guarantee plenty of oohs and aahs?from the large crowdsthatgather to watch them.
New to the event this year will be a BattleTrax competition (www.battletrax.com). The BattleTraxcourse lets riders explore handling and braking limits in a safe,challenging environment. All types of motorcycles and all levels of ridingskill – from beginner to expert – can find fun and excitement carving cones on a BattleTrax course. Returning this year, the Observed Trialswill show advanced riding performances.
A special vintage motorcycle display will show fine examples of bikesthroughout history. Riders can find out the horsepower of their bikes onthedyno tester. Smell the rubber burn at the burnout demonstration Saturdayevening. Also that night, see the best-looking female bikers compete forcash prizes in the famous Miss Carlisle beauty contest. Live bands willentertain crowds in between the other attractions. For a break from theheatand the crowds, women can visit the Women’s Oasis to get free manicures andmassages, shop and take part in seminars. Kids? activities are alsoavailable. Try your luck at Basket Bingo for your chance to win greatbaskets.
To finish up the weekend’s excitement, a 2003 Harley-Davidson? FXSTSoftail?Standard will be given away to one lucky ticket holder on Sunday at about 3p.m. No purchase is necessary, but you must be present at the stage to win.
The 2003 edition of the Carlisle Summer Bike Fest takes place July 25-27.Gates are open from 7 a.m. to dusk daily. Admission is $5 each day.Introduce kids to the automotive hobby – children 12 and under are admittedfree. For additional information, call the Carlisle Events Hotline at (717)243-7855, or visit www.carsatcarlisle.com. There will be no on-groundscamping. For off-site camping or room reservations, call 1(877) 231-ROOM(7666).
Carlisle Events
phone: 717-243-7855, ext. 116
beckyk@carsatcarlisle.com
www.carsatcarlisle.com
BIKERNET BLAST FROM THE PAST–Saw the referral to Texas Scooter Times. Thought you’d get a grin out of acover I shot back in ’81 at some Kansas drags.
That’s my oldest kid, John, in the background, standing in what was referredto as the starter’s stand. A few runs later Marion Owens grenaded Boss Hogand the kid had to find new digs.
–John Siebenthaler THREE ROSES– A very sexually active woman tells her plastic surgeon that she wants her vagina lips reduced in size because they were flapping in the breeze. Out of embarrassment she insisted that the surgery be kept a secret and the surgeon agreed. Awakening from the anesthesia after the surgery she found three roses carefully placed beside her on the bed. Outraged she immediately calls in the doctor. “I thought I asked you not to tell anyone about my operation!” The surgeon told her he had carried out her wish for confidentiality and that the first rose was from himself: “I felt sad because you went through this all by yourself. “The second rose is from my nurse. She assisted me in the surgery and empathized because she had had the same procedure done some time ago.” “And what about the third rose?” she asked. “Oh, that rose is from a man upstairs in the burn unit. He wanted to thank you for his new ears!” –from Bob T. FROM THE DESK OF SIN–I have a few things I want to go over in this weeks news; one is to explain what?s going on with Chrome Specialties in the Gulch. Chrome Specialties is merging with Custom Chrome and currently in the process of re-vamping their website. Part numbers are being converted so they show up as not available, which is usually not the case. The best thing to do, until they finish this merge, is give us a call to check availability and get the correct crossover part number. Don?t get discouraged; I?m here to help. The phone number to call is 310-521-9900 for assistance. Another thing I want to discuss is sex. Not really? I want to talk about Johnny Suede in the Gulch. In case you haven?t visited his site yet, GO DO IT GODDAMNIT! Show your support for Bikernet?s newest sponsor and you?ll be rewarded with visions of the coolest clothes around. That brings me to my last subject—the Free Contest. Johnny Suede is donating shirts, hats and beanies for our winners. Along with all the other cool stuff I have from Choppahead, Samson Exhaust, Joker Machine Apparel and Straight Pipez, you?d be silly not to enter. I know Layla said in last weeks news she would post all the winners in a Special Report, we still are. Bandit?s a fuckin? slave driver and in his attempt to keep fresh material flowing through the veins of Bikernet, he?s got Layla and me on the run. I promise by the end of this week, you will have your winners list. I want to personally thank all those who have subjected themselves to our questions when entering the contest. Your information is invaluable to us in that it helps us to see what the demographics are, what you ride, and most important, what you like best from Bikernet and what we could offer to make us even better. We love the feedback and want you coming back as a very satisfied customer. Have a great weekend and remember, you can always email me at Sin Continued On Page 2
www.siebenthalercreative.com
March 03, 2003 Part 1
By Bandit |
Photos By Rogue
Daytona Beach Area Bike Week 2003– is off and running. Officially starting Saturday March 1st and it is already full of controversy.
You will note that I included the word AREA as the Bikers are in an area roughly 100 miles North, West and East of the famous beach. There is a lot of speculation why, but a lot of it is the attitude of the City of Daytona Beach and the wide spread ticketing of the bikers.
The Harley dealer in Orlando is putting on a big shindig and is expecting 100,000 bikers and all the bars, fish camps, and other places you can think of within 100 miles is welcoming the bikers.
AND they are going there. Some are complaining about the rates for rooms in the Daytona area which in some cases are 2-3 times what they will be next week for college break, others the police ticketing, price gouging etc. While most of those I have talked to say they are not against spending money, and expect to but do not like to feel they are being taken advantage of. Why is the price of a bottle of beer $2.00 more down town and some other areas? Hey I can stay out side of town for $50.00- $100.00 a day and have just as much fun and spend the money on other things.
Well enough of that. We will look at it long and hard when it is all over and see. I have a Duty To Perform and that is to show you that how to have FUN. Now I realize that different people have different ideas about what fun is but this is mine.
Well there were all kinds of other things going on and some Rockin? bands. If you didn’t have a good time, it was your fault.
I decided to visit a few other places before I had too much fun and did go to the Cabbage Patch, which is right up Rt. 415 North. It had just rained a little and a lot of the people had headed for cover. A quick ride over to Club 44 to check it out and then back to the Paradise.
The TV station was saying that downtown was wet and did not have many people and was trying to blame it on the war and the economy. The Bikers are here in Florida but watching where they go, how they are treated and where they spend their money.
I will be going to the Speedway today to see the Vintage Races and work for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. I will be out and about the area and if you see me, have me take your picture. You might see it here on Bikernet or in one of the magazines.
Do not forget to stop in at the Camel tent and see Billy Lane and the bike he built for them.
HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS I DO, IF YOU CAN!
ROGUE
Showers Diminish Early Bike Week Turnout
By JAY STAPLETON
Staff Writer
Last updated: Mar 1, 04:10 AM
DAYTONA BEACH —
Friday’s festive gatherings, part of a tradition that started in 1937 withthe first Daytona 200 motorcycle race, left many wondering whether Bike Week2003 would hit or miss. Police estimated about 20,000 people on Main Streetby 9 p.m. Friday. Many seemed oblivious to the weather.
They came from Israel, Kentucky and Germany — enthusiasts who love not onlythe hair-blowing thrills, but everything about motorcycles. “I like theoriginality of the bikes,” said Dean Bozard, a biker from South Carolina.
Still, rain showers didn’t help keep pessimists quiet. The National WeatherService in Melbourne called for a chance of rain and thunderstorms throughthe weekend.”It’s not going to be a dry weekend by any means,” said meteorologist PeteBlottman in Melbourne. “It looks like things will finally start drying outon Tuesday.
Bike Week runs through March 9 and is expected to draw 500,000. Thoseselling things were keeping their hopes up. “We’re having a great crowd,”said Denise Jabaly, a merchandising manager at Daytona Harley-Davidson onBeach Street. “They’re a little wet and soggy, but they’re happy.”
Not all were having a good time, however. Roads were closed to allowmotorcycle access, parking was tight — or expensive — and the Votran bussystem expects delays or interruptions next week.
A few miles south on U.S. 1 in South Daytona, vendors sellingHarley-Davidson T-shirts and smoked turkey legs were closing as early as 8p.m. Biker traffic there was lighter than expected, police said.”It’s been very light for the kickoff night,” said Officer Pete Blottman ofthe South Daytona Police Department. “The vendors are shutting down, theyexpected quite a larger crowd.”jay.stapleton@news-jrnl.com
Continued On Page 2
February 27, 2003 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
HISTORY OF FRANCE– – Gallic Wars – Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.
– Hundred Years War – Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; “France’s armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman.”
– Italian Wars – Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.
– Wars of Religion – France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots
– Thirty Years War – France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.
– War of Devolution – Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.
– The Dutch War – Tied
– War of the Augsburg League/King William’s War/French and Indian War Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Frogophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.
– War of the Spanish Succession – Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.
<- American Revolution - In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."
– French Revolution – Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.
– The Napoleonic Wars – Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) Due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.
– The Franco-Prussian War – Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France’s ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.
– World War I – Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it’s like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn’t call her “Fraulein.” Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.
– World War II – Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.
– War in Indochina – Lost. French forces plead sickness, take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu
– Algerian Rebellion – Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; “We can always beat the French.” This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.
– War on Terrorism – France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe.
The question for any country silly enough to count on the French should not be “Can we count on the French?”, but rather “How long until France collapses?”
–from Ray R.
READERS SHOWCASE EDITOR’S REPORT–Well it has finally stopped raining here in the land of Dixie. The monsoonrain coming after the biggest snowstorm in 10 years. With temps in the 50stoday. I expect the Carolina country roads will be filled motorcycles, astheir riders try and get one day of riding in before it rains again.
Ofcourse that ain’t squat compared to what’s going my old homeland of NewEngland. They can’t even get the bikes out of the garages. Unless they spenda few hours shoveling. That last storm dumped 2-ft up there atop of the 3-ftthey already had. Crazy Angie’s boyfriend had to go get a snowmobile twomonths ago, ‘cos he was jonesin’ so bad.
She tells me, “He said I’m going tobuy US a snowmobile for winter fun. What a shock to see a 2003 New PolarisSnowmobile takes only one rider? Well, first of all their isn’t room enoughon the seat for his big ass, never mind mine. I weigh 120lbs. I ‘d have tostarve myself for a year to fit on the back of that small seat .
Then itsays right on the windshield one person only NO passengers .. I said ‘Howstupid are you?” He said, ‘Pretty stupid, I never saw that.’ He paid $8,000for a one person play toy and never saw that sign.”He took off on it in a blizzard and she hasn’t seen him since.
She’s notworried tho. Hishot rod dresser and old softail are residing in her garage and he has tocome back for them someday. If not, she’ll just get taller heels and ahandsome young guy to set her on the dresser. She’s already takingapplications. E-mail any advice you all have for Angie tocrazyhorse@bikernet.com.
I’ll be skipping Daytona this year. Instead I’m hog tying my husband anddragging him off to Tahiti for TBear’s Tropical Biker Adventure. I even gota passport. I still can’t believe they gave me one. Wow, I feel almostrespectable. But then TBear has one, and if they gave him one well…….
Hey, Reader’s Showcase is getting some of the highest hit counts on oursite here. So if ya gotta bike to show off or tale to tell, send them indammit! Reach millions, well maybe not millions, reach thousands of folks. Show ’em your stuff. Tell ’em how you built it.Check out Dave Lango’s time machine road cruiser in the pic above. You’ve got to check out his trailer.
You cansee more realbikes by going to Reader’s Showcase. Come-on, send me some stuff, give mesomething to do besides paint all these bikes and clean out the catbox. Fourweeks and counting before I leave the country. I hope they let me backin.
–Crazy Horse
LA CALENDAR SHOW ROCKS WITH NEW BAND–We are definitely excited about having the hottest new recording groupin America, the beautiful Beu Sisters as the featured musical group atour LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. We are promoting them heavily in allour print advertising and throughout our FastDates.com website, as wellas selling their CD online via Amazon.com.
http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM
http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.2EventSchedule.HTM
http://www.FastDates.com/Collectors6Music.HTM
You can find out more about The Beu Sisters on their website which youcan reach via the links above. I also recommend using the shopping linkthere to Amazon.com to get their CD. I’ve already given copies of theirCD to some of my friends and they all agree it is awesome and can’t stopplaying it.
ARLEN NESS’S NEW BUILDING FINALLY OPEN–Arlen will have the Grand Opening of his new facility on the weekend of March 29th and 30th. The film crew from the Discovery Channel will be there to finish the filming of the television special!
Lots of riders think Arlen was born with riches. He wasn’t. He was a postman who built bikes in his spare time. He was in a club in the late sixties and rode with the worst of us. In those days he was a home built kinda guy. I think he spent 30 years in the same little shop. He’s spent almost five years preparing to move into a building he built with his son, Cory.
THE REASON JON TOWLE IS SHORT, REVEALED–We recently pressed Jon Towle to help with artwork for the Run For Breathe, charity ride in Charlotte. Here’s what he said, “Oh, by the way, I know all about the “suffering kids”. I had, whattheir kid had, for the first thirteen years of my life. Many trips tothe hospital, being on a breathing machine all the time, many nightsfighting for breath to where your ribs and lungs get so weak, you don’tknow if you can do it anymore–until they give you a huge adrenalin shotto make up for exhausted muscles.
It scares the life outta ya. I wasthere. I was suppose to be at least seven inches taller than I am now,because of it. breaking blood vessels from coughing so hard to catchyour breath, missing three weeks of school at a time. Shall I go on? Iknow the whole story of what they go through. I’m lucky to be alive! They told my folks, I wouldn’t make it past nineteen. But I’m too stubborn to go along with that shit.
Of course I’ll draw the black and white logo for their event. I’ll spend every waking moment when I’m not caring for my own kid (Mr. Mom) or drawing for Bikernet.
–jon-
THE BIKERNET BLONDE DEPARTMENT–A police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license.
She replied in a huff, “I wish you guys would get your act together.Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me toshow it to you!”
–from Rev CarlR
SEND YOUR THANKS TO THE MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN–If you are so inclined, visit the Department of Defense web page belowand sign a brief message thanking the men and women of the U.S. militaryservices for defending our freedom. The compiled list of names will be sentout to our soldiers at the end of the month. So far, there are only3,800,000 names.
Pass the word that we can honor and support the defenders of freedom.
National Military Appreciation Month –from Giggie, Compu-Fire THAT’S ALL FOLKS–Between the massive King 9 tech and the news, I’m hammered. “Somebody get me a Jack.” Thought I’d take a break for dinner, but the two bitches started tearing at each other over stale Chinese food. I went to the cupboard to refill my drink and escape back to the inner sanctum of Bikernet. Sorry we can’t always have the news up, by the middle of the day, east coast time, on Thursday. There’s numerous factors at play. Sex, whiskey and motorcycles. Do I need anymore excuses? There’s a new tech on Gates belts out there in cyber space somewhere, and Frank Kaisler sent me a home-built wiring tech, that will hit the site this weekend. What else. We may have a major feature on what Billy Lane is up to next week. I hope the gloss black powder coating arrives from Custom Powder Coating in Dallas tomorrow. I need to get back on the King for an American Rider deadline. The coater was snowed in for two days this week. It’s a bitch fighting deadline. There’s always something that jumps into the mix. On the other paw, we always make it through. It’s part of the challenge. The King is coming together. Can’t wait to show it off. Let’s hope the sun shines on Daytona as all the brothers and sisters roll into the town that doesn’t want them. Ride Forever–Bandit Continued On Page 4
February 27, 2003 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
NEW BOOK FROM LITTLE BRITISH GUY–Just drive around the streets with a PA system telling everyone in earshotthat this is 1000% better than Sex and The City and will outsell Dr Spockand J K Rowling’s Harry Potter so buy now . Sales are through the roof so far but that is offthe MAG product site and our shows plus a few Harley dealers around London.
I am launching my own website soon and my second book, a pictorial overviewof the growth of MAG and the biker lifestyle in general from 70s up to thepresent time. Thanks for the offer of help, ideally what I would like to dowould be to find a US publisher for the book and then re- work it a bit.There were some parts where I feel I was too mean and where I could haveinjected humour to offset my critical comment.
Liked your revenge book. Bike theft is a major issue for us. I’m going to an antitheft meeting tomorrow with police bodies insurance companies and otherinterested parties. Never sure if we are getting anywhere. Capital punishmentis what is needed.
This book ‘Looking For America’ details my trip across the USA in ’89when I did the interview with you which gets described in some depth.
–Ian
streetbiker@mag-uk.org
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–We are out in Daytona, yeap, already there, time flies, just last month we were working our asses off to get the bike together and now we are trying to ride, it’s cold (to this Caribbean guys) and a 50 % chance of rain looms, but we are setting the booth up. Choppers Inc and The Horse should be arriving pretty soon (during the week end) We have a lot of stuff to do here, people to meet and deeds to do.I’m still working on the SU and waiting for Primos response to my questions, maybe I’ll get lucky and find an SU guru here that can help me dial it. For now it has an S&S and it’s running great, too bad I want the other carb , it looks good and I like the way they perform.
We are expecting a lot of friends from overseas and hoping that this will be a fun time for all, I will take some photos when the chopper is done and will send them to Bandit.Don’t forget to come by our booth and say hi, it’s always good to put a name and a face together.I’m just watching the weather report and it states gloomy weather for the week end, but clearing for next week which should be great. Remember, be safe if you are heading down here, enjoy the ride and try not to freeze your balls (or nipples) on the road.One thing is for sure, one big ass report will follow this trip, like always, and if I manage to sneak into someones computer will do some of Your Shots…
This one is short and sweet, gotta go work…Fuck ! don’t I always.Get better pops, we are tuning for the long ride…
Jose, Caribbean Report from the shitty shores of Daytona Beach
BIKERNET GYPSY SCUTTLEBUTT-THE BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL–It is always a treat for me to see friends come backinto my life. Ashame you could not avail your self ofsome timely bargains. But, you will get the friendlytreatment when you need that from me.
The Gold Wing I was riding, when I saw you in CarsonCity, checked out on me about a year ago. Seems I blewa hole in the case. That bike was pretty worn out WhenI acquired it for $100.00 several years ago. So now Igot another Honda, 1978-750SS with Vetter Fairing,bags, and Trunk. Last summer I journeyed from the California Coast toKenniwick, Wa. for the Hydroplane races, then over themountins to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and into Sturgisto work for some friends there. Then off to Minnesota,Wisconsin, and Illinois for my 45th high schoolreunion. and finally back thru Missouri, Oklahoma,Texas, etc to SoCal and home. Great trip, good viewsand fantastic folks along the way. Ended up with about4500 miles on the odometer and many great memories.
Looking forward to another fantastic year and thisyear I want to traverse the AlCan highway to Alaska.
Any way I gave your address to American Diabetes Assnand told Lori Stevens about you, she remembers you andlooks forward to seeing you again. They are sendingyou a package for Sponsorship and I expect to see yourlogos on our flyers very soon. There is a B.A.D. ridecommittee meeting at Bartels on Wednesday evening at6.30 pm. I would go, but I have an ABATE meeting inPomona, that same evening. I usually go to the PomonaValley and Orange County meetings. This is for thefolks that help with the ride as we plan and executethis years Ride.
Anyway, Bandit, get involved and support this cause.Diabetes is curable, all we need is money and yourhelp to find the CURE.
–GYPSY
ANOTHER DAYTONA TEASE–This is Jesse Rooke’s latest creation, and it’s headed toward Daytona for Bike Week. Jesse is a hot, new, up-and-coming builder. Check his site for new products: JESSEROOKECUSTOMES.COM.
TOP TEN TIMES IN HISTORY–
10th – Scattered @#$%ing showers, my ass! – Noah, 4314 BC
9th – How the @#$% did you work that out? – Pythagoras, 126 BC
8th – You want WHAT on the @#$%ing ceiling? – Michelangelo, 1566
7th – Where did all those @#$%ing Indians come from? – Custer, 1877
6th – It does so @#$%ing look like her! – Picasso, 1926
5th – Where the @#$% are we? – Amelia Earhart,1937
4th – Any @#$%ing idiot could understand that. – Einstein, 1938
3rd – What the @#$% was that? – Mayor Of Hiroshima, 1945
2nd – I need this parade like I need a @#$%ing hole in the head! – JFK, 1963
And,….. drum roll……..The number 1 most appropriate time for using the *#*$ word……Aw c’mon, Monica. Who the @#$% is going to find out? – Bill Clinton, 1997
–from Rev CarlRNo problem- don’t let Jose give you too much shit, he’s awfully bitter for a young guy. I love my chop too, but used to make Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale in just over 9 hours and be ready to party when I was still riding my King. If I did that on my chop, I’d have a shot of Jack and pass out after gettin’ into town. I’ve still done a couple of 400-mile days, but it hurts considerably more.
–KevKevin.Harding@motorola.com
BEHIND THE SCENES AT BIKERNET CARIBBEAN–Greetings from Lauderdale, where I wish I was leaving for Daytona this morning. My ’57 chop is ready to roll, and Jose’s buddy Wicho’s ’52 Pan is only a few days from being mobile again after installation of a new 3″ BDL primary and jockey shift. Should be interesting watching him learn to ride this, but better in South Florida than back home in San Juan.
Saw your note on Sunday’s news about changing the location of your license plate, see the attached photos of my ’98 King. Moving the plate was the first thing I did in October ’97 after picking up the bike. Once you pull the rear fender light the original backing plate was able to mount in the already-drilled holes with minimal grinding. I used some bullet lights to cap off the empty holes in the original mount, held in place with JB Weld and wired to the brake lights. The turn signals were remounted using some $80 CCI kit, with the “tits” added for some side visibility. I used plastic end caps from Ace Hardware and some black silicone to plug the holes in the fender underneath the taillight. Easy fix for minimal cash, cleaned up the back end a lot.
Also note the smooth Corbin Warbird fender. I don’t think it was more than $100 and really cleaned up the front of the bike. It seemed to handle a bit better too due to the lighter weight, and I didn’t notice much of a decrease in wet-weather protection.
Still miss this sled, had over 80K miles on it when I street-luged down 95 outside of Pompano in December ’01 after a gal cut in front of me in the rain. Of course, it was 3AM. Guess that’s why there’s drunk bikers, and there’s old bikers, but there are no drunk old bikers. Fortunately, a good jacket & gloves saved me except for some road rash on my knees and losing some hair on the back of my head. State Farm gave me enough cash to finish the chop and pick up my ol’ lady’s ring.
I’m on the road for Daytona March 6th, same hotel as Jose and his gang of misfits. Should be a hell of a weekend…
–Lojack
FREE CONTEST, CONTEST FREE, AND THE WINNER IS– We have quite a few winners since we took so long in choosing. I?m not going to post exactly what they won in today?s news cause I have ten pages of winners and it would take up too much space. I?m gonna do a ?Special Report ? that will be posted in the next couple of days. Here?s a few of the winner?s submissions for a teaser. Just so you know, you do win at Bikernet and prizes will be shipped out soon. You may not get exactly what you asked for but what you do get will be cool. We have prizes from Johnny Suede, Straight Pipez, Samson and many other Bikernet contributors.
Michael Reida – Des Moines, IA
Suggestion: More bike features for those of us living in the real world…and that don’t include $50K freaking bar hoppers. (That’s the same bitch I blasted American Iron Magazine with recently, whose subscription I’m dropping)
Wanted: Wanted: #1 Nothing from Bandits underwear drawer, thanks… (Good Gawd, y’all). #2 Anything for the old Pan. It has over length springer of unknown origin, Mustang tank, bobbed rear fender, drag bars, no front brake, drum on rear, and is black (of course)
SLICK FLICK – Hemet, CA
Suggestion: Biker tattoo section
Wanted: Some good head!
Denny Vander Woude – Waupun, Wisconsin
Suggestion: More articles, like the personal stories of rides and runs
Wanted: a Bikernet Tshirt and an old Harley piston I can use for a pencil holder
I learned a lot from some of the suggestions that were entered (thank you for taking the time), but there seems to be some confusion about what is available to you here at Bikernet. Lots of people suggested we have a place where you readers could submit your stories and your rides. Shit, that?s what we?ve been asking for. We also received quite a few suggestions for a Tattoo Section. I would love to get images of tattoos to post seeing how I?m the tattoo queen.
bandit@bikernet.com ? for stories and bike builds.
sinwu@bikernet.com ? for tattoos and any other images.
crazyhorse@bikernet.com – for Readers Rides.
Our address is:
Bikernet.com
PO Box 1168
San Pedro, CA 90733-1168
Not to mention ?It?s Your Shot?. You can always leave a message there.
http://www.bikernet.com/shot/
We have Event Coverage, Event Calendar, Bike Shops, Bars and Hangouts, etc?
So there you have it. No more excuses for not sending your stories, bike builds, tattoos, event coverage or just your thoughts. We wanna hear from you, even criticism. Oh, Mo Smock, you are a winner too. You get a special prize for the most entries.
The Bitch
Continued On Page 4
February 27, 2003 Part 2
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 1
BIKERNET INDIAN RELATIONS–The old Cherokee chief sat in his hut on the reservation, smoking the ceremonial pipe, eyeing the US government officials sent to interview him.
“Chief Two Eagles,” one official began, “you have observed the white man for 90 years. You have observed his wars and his material wealth. You have seen his progress and the damage he has done.” The Chief nodded that it was so. The official continued, “Considering all theseevents, in your opinion, where did the white man go wrong?”
The Chief stared at the government officials for over a minute, and then calmly replied, “When white man found this land, Indians were running it. No taxes. No debt, Plenty buffalo and Plenty beaver. Women did all work. Medicine man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing, all night screwing women.”
The Chief leaned back and frowned, “White man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that.”
–from A. Friedman
AMERICA’S OLDEST MAN PASSES ON AT 113–February 25, 2003 at 10:12PM
John McMorran of Lakeland, Florida, died of heart failure on Monday, the daily Lakeland Ledger reported.
McMorran quit smoking at the age of 97 but continued to enjoy coffee and life. During his last few years, he was a celebrity of sorts, frequently making headlines marking yet another birthday.
McMorran was born on June 19, 1889, in a log cabin in the state of Michigan.He was the fourth-oldest person in the world. Japan’s Kamato Hongo is the world’s oldest person at 115, the paper said.
In his last years, his eyesight had failed, and he was hard of hearing, but he otherwise enjoyed good health until developing complications related to pneumonia last week. Sapa-DPA
–from Bob T.
BIG BUILDING JOKE–Two men sit drinking in the bar at the top of the Empire State Building. One turns to the other and says: “You know, last week I discovered that if you jump from the top of this building, by the time you fall to the 10th floor, the winds around the building are so intense that they carry you around the building and back into the window.”
The bartender overhears this, and just shakes his head.
The second man says: “What are you, a nut? There is no way in hell that couldhappen.”
The first man says: “No, it’s true, let me prove it to you.”He gets up from the bar, jumps over the balcony, and careens toward the street below. When he passes the 10th floor, he whips around the building and back into the 10th floor window, where he takes the elevator back to the bar.
The second man tells him: “You know, I saw it with my own eyes, but that must have been a one-time fluke.”
The first man says: “I’ll do it again.”And again, he jumps and hurtles toward the street until he again slows near the 10th floor, where he circles the building and ends up going through the same window. He returns to the bar.
The second man says: “Well, what the hell, it works, I’m going to try it.” He jumps over the balcony, plunges downward, passes the 11th floor, 10th floor, 9th floor … and hits the sidewalk with a splat.
Back upstairs, the bartender turns to the other drinker and says: “You know, Super man, you’re a real jerk when you’re drunk.”
–from Art F.
DAYTONA H-D OWNER FED UP WITH DAYTONA–Fed up with rising special events fees, Bruce Rossmeyer also is planning to build a 100,000-square-foot, 24-hour satellite dealership north of Ormond Beach city limits at U.S. 1 and Interstate 95.
The new site is where Daytona Harley-Davidson will stage its Bike Week and Biketoberfest events, which include all-day concerts.
“What’s on Beach Street will stay but I am relocating,” Rossmeyer said.
Rossmeyer said city officials here have made it difficult for him to stage biker events. He doesn’t like the ongoing controversy over special events and the city wanting to charge high fees to make events pay for themselves.
City Commissioner Darlene Yordon, a strong proponent of higher fees, called Rossmeyer’s decision “unfortunate.”
“Bruce was one of the best (businesses) that we have when it comes to paying. But, the city has got to cover its expenses,” Yordon said. “Maybe, if the Main Street merchants had been paying their fair share, Mr. Rossmeyer wouldn’t be leaving.”
Rossmeyer paid $250,000 to use North Riverfront Park, located across from his Beach Street dealership, during Bike Week and Biketoberfest last year and will pay that much this year, he said. “I am not going to pay that outrageous price that the city wants anymore.”
When he built his Beach Street dealership five years ago, he was told he could use the park for $1 a year.
So, “I just resolved my problem. Maybe somebody else will rent that park, but I doubt it,” Rossmeyer said.
–from Rogue and News Journal
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA FOUND–The attached photo is of Gerge Brough (using a cane because he had crashed one of his bikes shortly before) and T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) taking delivery of a Brough in 1932. Lawrence was killed in a bike crash in 1935, perhaps on this machine.
–Art
STROKER’S POLL–A bikernet reader, Stroker, decided to take a poll and extended the proposal to us. It’s simple. Put in your number and we’ll tally the poll for next week.
LEATHER JACKET LOBBYISTS MINGLE WITH HARTFORD REGULARS–By KEN DIXON.Tuesday, February 25, 2003 – HARTFORD – It’s common to see people in uniform at the Capitol complex, whether it’s National Guard troops in camouflage at the cafeteria’s salad bar, or uniformed police officers testifying on pending legislation.
It’s not very often, however, that members of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club, in full black leather regalia, are seen standing in the Legislative Office Building among the lobbyists in pinstriped suits.
But like any other special-interest group, members of the Connecticut chapter of the original outlaw bikers descended on the Capitol Monday in an attempt to beat down the latest attempt to enact a helmet law for motorcycle riders.They joined dozens of other ridersweekend yuppies on the latest recreation fad or longtime bikers who’ve fought before for the right to shun “brain pans”in asking lawmakers to leave them alone.
“We feel most of the people who are trying to get the helmet law aren’t riders,” said Santo Bazzano, 35, of Hartford, one of three Hell’s Angels who stood in the LOB’s atrium, watching the parade of noontime humanity. “It should be the rider’s choice.”
–from Rogue
MAY RETURNS EARLY– I have been out of touch for a while reorganizing my life. Here is a shot of the hardtail Sportster I made for under 2,500 dollars. I sent the story to Hammer but I don’t think the pics were good enough.
There is a story on that frame. My friend Jeff in Boulder City found that frame in the city dump several years ago. He took it home and stuck some old wheels on it and made a yard ornament till his wife wanted to clean up the yard so he threw it behind the garage till I came along. It is totally homemade by who knows? I cut the neck off and redid it with less stretch and rake and there you have it. I will try to scan the construction pics and send you the whole story. It’s finally raining in vegas.
–Bill May
Continued On Page 3
February 27, 2003 Part 1
By Bandit |
Don’t miss visiting Billy Lane and his crew across from Daytona H-D during Bike Week.
This report will be wild from an array of new custom bikes, new techs due to be launched and reports from our readers. We spent the other night in bed reviewing all the reports from the Bikernet Suggestion box. We have a constant FREE contest area. Check it out. You can go in, fill out the form which gives us some notion of the riders who read Bikernet. From there you are free to make suggestions to our vast, world wide editorial staff. Finally you can request your own prize. Doesn’t mean you’ll get it, but the more creative the request, the more chances you have of making your request become a reality.
What’s the most requested editorial element? Stories from you about the bikes you build. We have a couple of ways for riders to get their stories out about riding experiences or building bikes. That’s one of the reasons we changed the bike show area into an area where you can post your own bike feature, Reader’s Showcase. You can tell the world about your machine, how it was built or any experience you’ve had with your machine. Don’t worry about how you do it. CrazyHorse will run through each piece before it’s launched.
There’s one more way you can make history or share your experiences with Bikernet. Write me at Bandit@bikernet.com. Give me a notion of what you want to share. If you can’t write at all, maybe I’ll interview you and write the story. Maybe I can coach you on your story and edit it for you. Maybe I’ll assign it to another writer. One way or another, we’ll bring your story to life. Goddamnit, that’s what we’re here for. Let’s get to the news:
DALLAS SWAP MEET MARCH 2ND – THIS SUNDAY!!!!! — The Texas Scooter Times here reminding everyone about the Texas Scooter Times upcoming Swap Meet in Dallas- March 2nd at the Historic Longhorn Ballroom!
Bikers will find motorcycle parts manufactures and distributors that travel the country, selling by the volume at deep discounts. There’ll be Motorcycle Shops that sell the good used parts that are taken off bikes in their shops when customers want to change up their rides. There’ll be Jewelry Vendors, T-Shirt Hawkers, Leather Sellers and people peddling oddities of all kinds. What ever it is you are looking for, IT’S HERE!
Live Band – Bargains – Parts & Party – Door prizes and other contests – TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS! – Don’t miss them!HOURS: Gates open at 11am – Limited Vendor Space Still Available- please call the Texas Scooter Times for reservations.For more info on a specific show and driving directions visit: www.texasscooter.com or call 254-687-9066
THE ROGUE REPORT FROM DAYTONA–The news (TV) is saying attendance and room reservations are down inDaytona Beach and they are blaming it on the economy and the pending war. BULLSHIT attendance is only down in Daytona Beach because of the high hotelrates and ever thing else.Add in the tickets for every thing you can thinkof. Hotels & Motels from Jacksonville to Orlando and then over to Melbourne(South of Daytona Beach)are welcoming the Bikers and they are coming. The Bikers are in Florida. They just are tired of the BULLSHIT in DaytonaBeach and are having their fun in the sun other places. ROGUE
MYSTERY GAS TANK– I bought a $50 tank off eBay a few months back, have been trying to ID it. Pretty sure my current tank is an old Ness Prism tank. This looks like a variation upon it. I was hoping to try this for Daytona, but I’m not going to have a chance to make the necessary repairs to it. Looks like it was clearanced for the rear rocker box (poorly), and I’d like to add a crossover line due to the angle of my frame.
Ever seen anything like it or know the origin? Obviously significantly raises my sub 2-gallon fuel capacity, and there definitely aren’t going to be too many other ones around…
–Kev
BEACH RIDE WILL LIVE AGAIN–We are proceeding with the application to Queen Mary Parks for August 31. At last after club disputes in Laughlin gave the Ventura, California an excuse to shut the Beach Ride down last year after 10 harmless years that raised money for needy kids.
The Beach Ride will now live again in Long Beach, California.
Carmela Anne Burke, MPA
Exceptional Childrens Foundation
(310) 845-8060
BIKERNET REPORTS FROM HELL–One day a guy dies and finds himself in hell. As he’s wallowing indespair, he has his first meeting with the devil…..
Satan: Why are you so glum?
Guy: What do you think? I’m in hell!
Satan: Hell’s not so bad. We actually have a lot of fun down here. Youa drinking man?
Guy: Sure, I love to drink.
Satan: Well you’re gonna love Mondays then. On Mondays all we do isdrink., tequila, Guinness, wine coolers, diet tab and fresca… wedrink till we throw up and then we drink some more! And we don’t worryabout getting a hangover, because you’re dead anyway.
Guy: Gee, that sounds great!
Satan: You a smoker?
Guy: You better believe it!
Satan: All right! You’re gonna love Tuesdays. We get the finest cigarsfrom all over the world and smoke our lungs out. If you get cancer nobiggie, you’re already dead, remember?
Guy: Wow…that’s awesome!
Satan: I bet you like to gamble.
Guy: Why yes, as a matter of fact I do.
Satan: Cause Wednesdays you can gamble all you want. Craps, Blackjack,Roulette, Poker, Slots, whatever. If you go bankrupt… you’re deadanyhow.
Satan: What about Drugs?!?
Guy: Are you kidding? Love drugs! You don’t mean…
Satan: That’s right! Thursday is drug day. Help yourself to a great bigbowl of crack, or smack. Smoke a doobie the size of a submarine. Youcan do all the drugs you want, you’re dead, who cares.
Guy: WOW! I never realized Hell was such a cool place!
Satan: You gay?
Guy: No…
Satan: UhhhhOoooh…….You’re gonna hate Fridays….
–from Rev CarlR
Bikernet Patches available in the Gulch. Click on image to purchase!
SEA-TAC REFUSER RANDOM CAR SEARCHES–By Sara Kehaulani Goo and Carrie Johnson,The Washington Post.First, air travelers had to submit to an electronic wand waved over the body. Then they were asked to remove their shoes. After that, their checked luggage was opened and searched. Now, with the nation under a Code Orange alert, police are pulling over drivers as they approach airport terminals for random searches of their vehicles.
At least one major airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, said it would not comply with the directive because it ran counter to state laws prohibiting police from searching a vehicle without a specific reason. “We can’t just stop everybody, or stop every third car or every blue car,” said airport spokesman Bob Parker.
Some airport managers balked at following the directive until the TSA clarified the legal issues. In its defense, the agency pointed to several cases in which federal courts ruled that vehicles could be searched for reasons of public safety.
–from Rogue and the Seattle Times
NEW CAMEL PROJECT FROM BILLY LANE–Here’s a tease of a bike that will be unleashed in Daytona next week. Hold on for another down-home, by hand custom from Billy Lane.
SHOVELHEAD RED ? NEW IN THE GULCH–Roy Yelverton, known to thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts as Uncle Roy, is a biker writer. A 20-yr. veteran of the U.S. Navy and has run Riders Roost, in North Carolina for 12 years with his brother, Bruce Colburn.
There is an axiom for writers that states: ‘Write what you know’. And Roy does just that.
Follow Shovelhead Red through twisting roads on a two-wheeled adventure.
Continued On Page 2
Feeling Insecure? Get Loctite!
By Bandit |
There’s a seldom talked about, often ignored important ingredient used all over your motorcycle that usually gets under-appreciated until you see or hear a piece of your bike bouncing down the road behind you. Yes, it’s another case of “Arizona Road Jewelry”. Those pieces of your bike that end up on the side of the road because you, or your trusted mechanic, were a little insecure while bolting on some prized stuff to your machine. Hopefully that piece you saw fly off your bike didn’t hit the guy behind you, or wasn’t an integral component you needed to get you home in one piece. There’s a simple magic ingredient called Loctite®, which began its life in the Trinity College basement laboratory of Dr. Vernon Krieble in Hartford, Connecticut, sometime way back half a century ago in 1953.
Back in ’53 Dr. Vern developed a ‘cure inhibition system for a unique liquid bonding resin that hardened in the absence of air “an anaerobic sealant”. It wasn’t long before Vern took advantage of his brilliant daughter-in-law’s sharp linguistic wit by taking her suggestion to call this anaerobic sealant “Loctite” . By 1956 they released their patented basement concoction to the world with the promise of solving the age-old problem of loose nuts and bolts. You see, until this time, most folks came to accept that it was natural for stuff to fall off of machines, no matter how tight you torqued the nuts down, even with good old-fashioned lock washers. Dr. Vern and his family solved a problem that was believed to be unsolvable. So why is stuff still falling off your bike?
First off, there are three standard Loctite grades that most automotive and motorcycle assemblers use. The first grade is coded Blue Removable No.242 which is applied to fasteners that you may want to unscrew with minimal hassle. Most mechanics just call it Blue Loctite, and I’ve had one or two guys who have worked at Surgical Steeds, who will remain nameless, call it “Berry”. The second grade is coded Red High-Strength No.271 which is applied to fasteners that you don’t want to take apart for a long time. When you do want to remove a fastener that has been treated with Red, or “Cherry” Loctite, you may have to use heat from a torch or iron to loosen its grip. Then we get to the third grade, which is dyed Green and is used on fasteners or studs that you don’t want to ever remove, like cylinder studs or exhaust studs. Green is not used commonly on fasteners that the everyday motorcycle technician uses unless they are building motors or transmissions. The average consumer or weekend wrench won’t need a tube of Green Loctite in their toolbox. Even the guys around the shop haven’t found a goofy name for the green stuff.
American motorcycles are notorious for rattling apart, and there really is no excuse for a bike coming to pieces if the correct anaerobic sealant is used on the appropriate fasteners. Loctite is available at most hardware stores and good bike shops, and is a safety necessity when you are working on your motorcycle.If you have a bike that keeps disassembling itself on the highway, and you are certain that you have been using Loctite properly, you might have other issues with your bike like excessive vibrations.
The most common problem resulting in excessive vibration is loose or worn motor mounts. Your standard V-twin rigid mount motor is mounted in three locations and if any are loose, this causes your whole bike to shake, rattle and roll to the max. Often loose motor mounts are symptomatic of balancing problems with the internal moving components of your engine (pistons, rods and flywheels), or they can be as simple to remedy as a visual inspection and tightening loose motor fasteners.
If your bike has the jitters, first check the top motor mount, which is under your fuel tank between the cylinders on the top left side of the motor. Even if the bolts seem tight, look carefully for cracked mounts or mounting brackets. We see quite a few broken top motor mounts especially on custom-built bikes. For some reason a few bikes with lower quality frames have issues with the motor-mounting locations not being level and square with the transmission mounting surfaces. So if the motor mounting locations on the chassis are not “shimmed” or spaced properly to make-up for the inaccuracies of the chassis mounting bosses, and just forced and bolted in, the mounting brackets may stress fatigue and break. So the message is: if you have broken mounts, take the time to discover why your motor mounts are breaking, or take your bike to a qualified mechanic who understands what needs to be checked to correct the issues. Tight motor mounts will make your bike feel like a new machine and reduce road jewelry. No amount of Loctite will make up for a poorly balanced engine or a loose or improperly shimmed drive train.
Another item that goes along with this topic is ‘Anti-Seize’ compound. Just like Loctite, anti-seize compounds comes in several variations, but the use for anti-seize is almost the opposite of a thread-locking compound like Loctite. Anti-Seize is a nickel or copper and graphite-based paste that prevents galling or binding of a nut onto a bolt, or assists with press fitting bearing races into components. If you’ve ever assembled a chrome threaded bolt with a chromed nylock nut and all of a sudden you have magically welded the nut to the bolt you know what I’m referring to. Or how about stripping the threads out of your spark plug sockets? That’s not the way that you want to spend your afternoon. A seized bolt can wreck your day when you have to cut bolts off of a motorcycle. Anti-seize can save the day. If a bolt, or your spark plug, feels like it is about to bind on you, don’t force it, because it will bind on you. Back the bolt out and chase the threads with a tap or thread chaser and clean the bolt with the appropriate die to remove burrs or other contaminates that interfere with getting that gizmo assembled. If you are about to strip out your spark plug threads, STOP, and take your bike to a veteran motorcycle technician before you dig yourself into a deep pocket repair. This may seem like a hassle at the time, but it is far less expensive to have a pro chase your sparkplug holes, than have to pay the big bucks to repair wrecked plug bores, or trashed cylinders from metal debris getting in the pistons. Pulling broken and seized bolts separates the men from the boys, and that’s a whole ‘nuther tech tip article too.
It takes years of experience to understand when and how to apply Loctite and anti-seize appropriately, and that’s why you should do your homework before you grab that wrench. If you are uncertain about what kind of Loctite or anti-seize compound to use, take your machine to a qualified mechanic to service and repair your bike. There are many nuances that dictate the correct application of thread-locking materials. If you are really interested in knowing more about Loctite and Anti-seize and all the different varieties and their uses, check out their web-site www.loctite.com . There is a ton of information at their site for those who are in search of it.
When you only have two wheels, one set of handlebars and pegs between you and the road, it’s important to have the confidence that your bike won’t rattle apart and leave you stranded or even worse, injured, because of improper installation of components. There’s a lot of science holding your bike together, and the guys at Loctite have done a bunch since 1953 to make your ride safer and more reliable when applied with a little knowledge and common sense.
Remember, keep the rubber side down.
John at Steeds
www.surgicalsteeds.com
Back to the Surgical Steeds…
February 23, 2003
By Bandit |
THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at
COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists
HEALTH INSURANCE BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS When motorcyclists worked together to pass legislation through Congress to ensure health insurance availability for motorcycle riders a few years ago, those efforts were eventually negated when the Clinton administration ruled that the federal government cannot dictate insurance coverages to state insurers. But now, U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced “The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act,” to end insurance discrimination by closing the loophole that has allowed insurance carriers to deny benefits to those who are injured while participating in so-called risky activities such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing and horseback riding.
“From riding Harley Davidson motorcycles to visiting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, these activities are part of Wisconsin’s heritage and economy,” Feingold said. “It simply doesn’t make sense to exclude those participating in these activities from health care benefits.”
This legislation, introduced February 14, aims to promote health care parity for participants in legal transportation and recreational activities, and addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services rule that prohibits employers from denying health care coverage to motorcyclists and others who participate in what is deemed a risky activity, but yet allows insurers to deny benefits to insureds if they are injured while participating in those activities.
“Because of this loophole, someone who participates in motorcycling, snowmobiling, running or walking could be denied health care coverage, while someone who is injured while drinking and driving a car would be protected,” Feingold said. “It is time that Congress corrected this so that those who are abiding by the law are not denied coverage.”
The language of the bill specifically states that “a plan or issuer may not deny benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of any injury solely because such injury resulted from participation of the participant or beneficiary in an activity such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing or other similar legal activity.”
We did it before, and we can do it again, so sharpen those pencils and urge your federal legislators to support the Feingold-Collins bill to stop insurance discrimination against motorcyclists, once and for all.
Are we looking at a future mandate? Remember, new automobiles now come factory-equipped with airbags, despite a dubious safety record. So watch out for the “If it’ll save just one life,” crowd.
NM SENATOR BOWS TO PRESSURE, WITHDRAWS “ORGAN DONOR” BILL Within days of the news that New Mexico Senator Allen Hurt had proposed a law requiring motorcyclists to become organ donors, the Senator withdrew the bill under intense pressure from the motorcycling community.
“You win … I’m pulling New Mexico SB 239,” said Senator Hurt.
Senate Bill 239, would have mandated the harvesting of organs from any motorcyclist who was killed in an accident while not wearing a helmet. Specifically, SB 239 stated: “a person operating a motorcycle without a helmet and who, as the result of an accident, is pronounced brain dead pursuant to Section 12-2-4 NMSA 1978 by a licensed physician shall become an organ donor regardless of whether the person made an anatomical gift by completing the organ donor statement.”
“No matter how you view organ donations, this outrageous bill not only violates our individual civil liberties but is also transparently discriminatory against motorcyclists,” said Richard Lester, founder of Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM). “It’s no wonder that this issue invoked the ire of bikers to the point of generating thousands of e-mails, letters and phone calls. But it demonstrates how effective we can be when we’ve got all our oars in the water and we’re all rowing in the same direction.”
NEW YORK CITY CONSIDERS LIMITS ON NOISE AND “DAREDEVIL RIDING” Two New York City council members and the city’s public advocate have proposed limits on motorcycle noise and daredevil riding, allowing the city to impound motorcycles and levy hefty fines or jail terms for repeat offenders.
Sponsored by Councilman Bill de Blasio, the legislation focuses on motorcycles like a “Pop-a-Wheelie Kawasaki, which encourages riding on one wheel, and excessively loud Harley-Davidsons,” like one on display with straight pipes that “could wake Mayor La Guardia,” Mr. De Blasio told the New York Times.
MASSACHUSETTS MAY BAN CHILDREN FROM RIDING ON MOTORCYCLES Massachusetts Senator Richard T. Moore has sponsored legislation on behalf of a constituent, Paulette Zazza, which should be of great concern of all riders. Senate No. 1351, entitled “Petition To Improve Safety For Passengers Of Motorcycles,” would prohibit any persons 16 years old and younger from riding as a passenger on a motorcycle on all Massachusetts roads.
There are already laws on the books that state that a passenger must sit on a seat, and his or her feet have to reach the footrests comfortably; but this proposed legislation puts an age definition that the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is opposed to.
This would have serious implications for the motorcycling families within Massachusetts as well as those traveling through the state, according to the MMA. “Those of us who’s motorcycles have always been the focal point of our families transportation and recreation would see our family’s activities severely disrupted. For the out-of-state touring riders bringing their children on vacation would mean having to avoid Massachusetts completely,” said an MMA spokesperson.
Concerned Massachusetts motorcyclists should contact their state legislators immediately and let them know how such legislation can affect you, and ask them to protect the American Motorcycling Family by opposing Senate No. 1351.
“COLORS” LAWSUIT GOES TO FEDERAL COURT A case currently pending in the 9th District U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco could soon decide if the Gilroy Garlic Festival’s policy restricting “gang colors” is constitutional. The debate revolves around an incident that took place at the 2000 Gilroy Garlic Festival when four Top Hatters Motorcycle Club members were removed by Gilroy police officers after refusing to take off their vests.
Immediately following the incident, the club filed a lawsuit against the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the City of Gilroy claiming the policy was a violation of their freedom of association and speech.
“The plaintiffs are not seeking any money in the lawsuit, only a change in policy and lawyers’ fees,” said Randolph Hammock, the plaintiffs’ Los Angeles-based attorney with the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. “We applaud the festival’s efforts to stop gangs, but a motorcycle club is fundamentally different than a gang — it’s a fraternal organization, a social and fraternal club — the same as the Masons or Lions Club. My clients feel they should have the right to wear their club’s jackets in public.”
But the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association disagrees and maintains its policy is not intended to deny freedom of speech but protect its patrons. “As of this point, we are not discussing a change in policy,” said Richard Nicholls, executive director of the Garlic Festival. “We want to provide our customers with a safe and non-intimidating, family atmosphere. We’ve had good compliance with our policy so far, so I don’t see why it needs to change.”
Hammock said one of the fundamental problems with the policy is that it was not available in writing to his clients before the incident. “I was surprised to discover that the Garlic Festival had no written dress code that warned my clients before the incident,” Hammock said. “Now they have one referring to gangs, but they’ve refused to give it to us to review. Why would they want to keep this a secret?”
Similar suits to the Top Hatters’ lawsuit have been filed against the California State Fair and the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival, with varying outcomes, Hammock said.
WASHINGTON MAY POST WARNINGS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS Senate Highways and Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Horn has introduced a bill that requires signs to be posted alerting motorcyclists of hazards caused by construction work. Under Senate Bill 5457, if any construction, repair or maintenance work presents a special hazard to motorcycles, the work location must be posted with signs warning motorcyclists of the hazard.
The proposal calls for Department of Transportation to create a uniform sign for this purpose, and it must include at least the following language: “Motorcycles Use Extreme Caution.”
“For motorcyclists, it can be very dangerous to ride along a road or highway and suddenly come across a work site that has loose gravel, a grade separation or an abrupt edge,” said Horn, R-Mercer Island. “These types of hazards provide minimal risk to cars but can often be fatal for motorcyclists. This bill gives motorcyclists some advance notice that these types of conditions exist within the work site.”
The bill was referred to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, where AIM Attorney Marty Fox testified in support of the measure.
“I started the wheels turning last year because of the number of construction accidents that I was seeing where riders were going down at night while transversing between recently scraped lanes and newly paved lanes side by side,” said Fox, further explaining that “Usually, there is an abrupt lane edge between the two surfaces in the middle of a road that the rider is not aware of in the dark, and at a shallow angle at highway speeds the result can be deadly.”
Fox testified in part that, “In lawsuits representing motorcyclists I discovered that the our state transportation department does not have any rules or signs to warn a motorcycle of this type of condition or any pavement disruption that a motorcyclist needs to know about in advance to avoid the hazard. In fact, I learned that some contractors who were using ‘Motorcyclists Use Extreme Caution’ signs were advised by government inspectors on jobs to remove the signs because they were not approved.”
“I think everyone will agree that motorcyclists pay more attention to signs than any other drivers on the road, and if they are given enough advance warning of potentially dangerous roadway conditions they will pay attention and avoid them and potential accidents. A simple reusable sign that costs less than $50 can save lives and property,” argued Fox in favor of the proposal.
Fox says he began working on the construction signage with Karen Bolin of the Washington Road Riders Association when she was his AIM Chief of Staff and NCOM Rep. “Last year we tried to get the Washington DOT to use signs warning motorcyclists of highway problems in advance. They listened but did not do anything. This year we went to the legislature and have received overwhelming support from both parties.”
PENNSYLVANIA PUSHES PRO-MOTORCYCLE LEGISLATION Moving quickly on the momentum of last year’s victories (removing handle the bar height restriction, increased funding for the Motorcycle Safety Program, allowing for more than one bike in a metered space, and reduced turnpike tolls for bikes), ABATE of Pennsylvania has introduced a helmet law modification bill with 19 co-sponsors.
“That’s much more support than previous years when we had about four co-sponsors,” said John Mullendore, ABATE Legislative Coordinator. “Senator Wozniak wants to pass this in the first 100 days of session. It looks like riding lidless will be legal in Pennsylvania this year if our members keep the pressure on. We gained four to five yes votes in the election and that was all that was holding us up before.”
ABATE also reintroduced a bill to create a Veteran’s license plate for bikes, and a bill to increase penalties for right-of-way violations. A bill to include motorcycles in the state’s Lemon Law was also introduced.
WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: AIR BAGS NOW AVAILABLE During an airing on cable’s Speed Vision of “On Any Sunday Revisited,” a look back at the classic motorcycle racing movie, a commercial came on featuring Evel Kneivel. The spot talked about what a great jumper he was, but that he was also a spectacular crasher. Then Evel appears on the screen and says, “If I’d been wearing one these airvests then, I wouldn’t need this cane now,” and goes on to claim that it will save more lives than any other safety device ever invented and marketed to the public.
We’ve all heard of these devices, and knew it would only be a matter of time before they were marketed here in the United States, and they are now available through the Internet at airvest.com, or you can order by phone for $499.95, or $299.95 for kid sizes.
QUOTABLE QUOTES: “First, they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, Then you win.”~Mahatma Gandhi, Nonviolent Protestor and leader of India’s independence (1869 – 1948)
February 20, 2003 Part 4
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 3
BIKERNET FEATURE BIKE SCORES IN COLUMBUS–Ken Millers low nitrous rocket ship won a 3rd place award at the Columbus Easyriders Bike Show. Buried in snow the show still drew record crowds and some of the best iron in the country.
HOGS AND CHOPPERS.COM LAUNCHED–Our motorcycle online website is finally open to the public! As part of theofficial kick-off, we’re offering FREE advertising for base ads ( till 2-28-03) to get things moving along quickly.Just Go To: http://www.hogsandchoppers.com
PRE-DAYTONA BOOGIE–I had the honor of attending the Pre-Daytona Boogie in Kingston, NY today. Lots of factory customs and a surprising number of Borgets were in attandence as well as the usual home builts along with rows and rows of bubble wrap.
I guess I’ve been doing this just too damned long or I was just in a foul mood with the 8 degree, below zero temps. The crowds and the fat broads entered in the bikini contest again. Anyway, the only two wheeled toy that seemed to impress me this year was ridden by a fellow gimp running through the isles. Ginger has finally arrived. This 2 wheeled beauty just made it to the top 10 list of toys I just have to get my grubby little paws on.
Computerized gyroscopic works but only 12mph at this stage. Given a good flame job and some apes, look for the old Bear to be running around Sturgis and Laconia this year on the hottest new 2 wheeler avalable. I can’t wait to see what Billy Lane can do with one of these things,
–TBear
PIXIES STICKS RETURN–Anyone remember those?The local watering hole had a poker run yesterday. The Backwoods Baris just that, about ten miles into the Chassahowitzka Forest. One ofthe sign up babes had the daughter along, about 6 years old. She had a pixie stick that was near tall as she was. The little girlhands off the giant candy straw and mom ask “don’t you want any more?”
The little girl replies “no….. I’m full of it.”
As I’m throwing my leg over the Iron Horse I could not resist lookingback to her and answer “everyone says the same thing about me!”
She turns her head and frowns like a confused puppy dog. Everyone elsejust has a good laugh.
Am I the only one that loves a run along the ocean at sunset?
–FTW,
Stroker
BIKERNET OZARK REPORT–Just thought I’d give you a little update on things out here. Big Tall Roger went down and broke his hand. He had to have surgery and won’t be able to ride for a month or so. He said he had ridden up to Petit Jean Mountain with JB, and on the way home they split up at the lake. Roger lives on one side and JB on the other. He was heading down the little two lane road and the next thing he knew he was on the ground. He wasn’t even drinking. He has no clue what happened. Roger is a good rider and puts a lot of miles on his bike. It makes you think about how fast it can happen.
More bad news. a couple of weeks ago skitzo wanted me to bring him some supplies at the shop after work on a friday. He was broke and didn’t want to go on the titty bar tour. He was just going to work on his bike for a while and go home. I told him I wouldn’t get out till about 8 or so and don’t go anywhere without calling me. I didn’t get out till about 9 and when I got there he was gone. My girls cell phone was dead so
I decided to go to Miss Kittys and call him from there. When I got there he was there, looking for me. He’s kind of freaky about bumming off his friends, but he let me buy him beers and we shot pool for a while. We ended up in a little game with some other guys and we were there most of the night. Dammit. He got popped for DUI on his way home.
I felt sorta responsible because if it wasn’t for me he would have gone home, but then if he had called me before he left, we would have met up at the shop like we planned.
Some good news, the politicians tried to give us a new helmet law but it didn’t pass. We’re good for a couple of more years, but they’ll try again.
Philip took his little Panhead to the Easyriders show in Memphis and took home a first place for his class and a trophy for a specialty catagory of some kind. He’s really racking up the trophys. In fact he’s got a first place trophy at every show he’s taken it to.
Me and Titty bar Mike rode to the Abate swap meet, two weeks ago, and saw everybody I know. It was a fun day. there were a lot of bikes on the road and when we got on the freeway we saw a group of about six bikes ahead of us. We hammered until we caught them and then they wanted to race. We went flat out wide open for about 12 miles. The other guys kept up for about 6 of those miles and then we left them. It got down to just me and Mike. We weren’t racing each other but we just couldn’t slow down. It was the first time I had ridden my bike in a couple of weeks because of the weather and it just felt so good, I couldn’t go slow. after we left the swap meet, it was the same thing home. Hammered like it was my last time to ride. The weather has been ugly since then, so I’m just waiting. I have so much to do on my Shovel and my Evo is now a road shot piece of shit. It will never make it another year. If I could just get off my lazy ass, leave the bitches alone and work on the shovel. I could have it done by hot summer time. You can bet your ass that when the Evo blows, I’ll get it done fast.
Anyway, I’ll report more regularly when the weather breaks and we all start coming out of our holes.
–Ozark Ed
THE OSAMA CURSE–While trying to escape through Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden found a bottle in a cave and picked it up. Suddenly, a female genie rose from the bottle and with a smile said “Master, may I grant you one wish?”
“You ignorant unworthy daughter-of-a-dog! Don’t you know who I am? I don’t need any common woman giving me anything!” barked Bin Laden.
The shocked genie said “Please, I must grant you a wish or I will be returned to that bottle forever.”
Osama thought a moment. Then he grumbled about the impertinence of the woman, and said “Very well, I want to awaken with three white American women in my bed in the morning, so just do it and be off with you!”
The highly annoyed genie said, “So be it!” and disappeared.
The next morning Bin Laden woke up in bed with Lorena Bobbitt, Tonya Harding &Hillary Clinton.
His penis was gone, his knee was broken, and he had no health insurance.
— Genie is good.
LONGVIEW SWAP MEET FEBRUARY 23rd!–Howdy, The Texas Scooter Times here reminding everyone about the Texas Scooter Times upcoming Swap Meet in Longview–February 23rd at the Longview Fairgrounds!
Bikers will find motorcycle parts manufacturers and distributors that travel the country, selling by the volume at deep discounts. There’ll be Motorcycle Shops that sell the good used parts that are taken off bikes in their shops when customers want to change up their rides. There’ll be Jewelry Vendors, T-Shirt Hawkers, Leather Sellers and people peddling oddities of all kinds.
What ever it is you are looking for, IT’S HERE! – Live Band – Bargains – Parts & Party – Door prizes and other contests – TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS! – Don’t miss them!
HOURS: Gates open at 11am – Limited Vendor Space Still Available- please call the Texas Scooter Times for reservations.
NEW! – the Texas Scooter Times Paper is online now! Check it out for up to the minute happenings and new information on our events- Like the New GAMBLERS RACE! – and a New “Red’s Picture Page – Go to www.texasscooter.com and check them all out!.
For more info on a specific show and driving directions visit: www.texasscooter.com or call 254-687-9066
Also- Don’t Forget! The Texas Scooter Times is coming back to Dallas at the Longhorn Ballroom March 2nd for The Dallas Swap Meet! Don’t Miss it! And the Spring Championships in Sealy, Texas is just right around the corner! March 30th!
BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–Well, Hell month is almost over and as you read this, our trailer is someplacein the Atlantic heading to the shores of Florida. Now it’s just a few daysof catching up, resting a little bit and then Daytona Mayhem.
Kokko is here; too bad that Dollar could not make it since he had previousduties in Finland. I am convinced that I’m going to visit the frigidcountry, as well as Sweden early this Summer. Kokko has been ranting abouta cool bike show the first week end of June, a very insane ferry ride fromHelsinki and tall, busty blondes that would love to meet a Caribbean boy.Needless to say, it’s sold.Like always, it being pretty loco here, from the shop to the other shop,from there to the docks, back and forth, forth and back, our poor friendsare sick of all the places above, at least they are getting a pretty gooddose of strip joint honeys to unwind after all this boring chores.
The bike is done, sort of, there’s very little details that need to betaken care of, and as we all know, the complexity of simplicity…Thosetake the most time…As you might imagine I’m toast, so those will have towait ’till Daytona, and if we find time there, looks like it’s going to befun and hectic.
We are pretty excited about the ” merger” of The Horse, Choppers Inc andCaribbean Custom Cycles for the booth, which translates into a lot offriends on very cool choppers are coming to visit, I’ve received messagesfrom a bunch of friends who are showing up, that’s great !Now I’m going to ask our readers, I would like to know if there’s anyonewith a RevTech 100 inch motor and an SU carb, I have been trying to get mycarb to run for the past few days to no avail. I’m about to load theshotgun with double slugs and shoot the fucker…
I’m also on the process of getting another motor for the chopper, I guesswe are going to call her Nightmare…Why, because it’s been a fuckingnightmare for the past month…That bike commands a Panhead, so I’m trying to get a good deal on a motor,I am looking at one of those Pandemoniums from Custom Chrome/ ChromeSpecialties, besides I bet that kicking that 88″ would be a breeze comparedto a new 100 inch.
Billy Lane and Choppers Inc are working on the next Discovery chopper,Here’s the photos of the Camel bike as I promised last week, enjoy, and youwill be able to see the complete bike at the Camel Booth on Daytona BikeWeek.
I’m not going to rant about shit this week, but I’m saving the MasterBuilders bash for next week (ok, so here’s a preview) How come there’s alot of people calling themselves Master Builders ??? I always thought thatis a title you earn, not something that you just believe you are and postit on a magazine ad….Now that the chopper is done, I want to thank and shamelessly plug some ofmy good friends and fellow builders that have helped so much with thisproject;
Exhaust- Shamrock Fabrication.com
Gas and Oil tank, Twisted Choppers.com
Wheels- Black Bike, Choppers Inc.
Forwards, trees, grips, risers, etc…Accutronix.com
Motor and trans- Custom Chrome
Primary and Carb – Rivera Primo
Plate and brake light- Clayton engineering
Seat- PDQ upholstery
Bars- Choppers Inc
Brakes- Exile Cycles, SJP
Sliders- Forking by Franks…
I know I’m forgetting stuff and some of them, but all these guys can bereached thru the links page at my web site…www.ChopperFreak.comAnyway, enough bull…I’m going to sleep…I’ll be back next week with mypre Bike week report.
Hasta Luego..
Jose
THE NEWS IS EARLY–by design. I had to complete the news on Wednesday since a half-dozen jerks in white coats are due to come for me in the morning. You think I’m kidding? I’ll be out of touch for a couple of days while women will wisk around me like humming birds to a sweet tooth. I wish it was going to be kinky, but that’s not the case.
I’ve taken the new black King Mags to Century Motorcycles in San Pedro to have two new Avon Venom’s mounted. Can’t wait for the Powder Coating guys to deliver the parts. I spoke to our Tech Editor, Frank Kaisler who recommended that I punch holes in cardboard and stick all the fasteners inside, then spray them with gloss black. After we assemble the scoot, if we chip a fastener, they can be easily touched up.
The Panhead is running sweet and I’m still pondering straddling it for the ride to Sturgis. Seems appropriate for the 100th. A brother called the other day about a basket case Peashooter. Hope he’s not teasing me.
We’re in the process of redesigning our Bikernet Gulch and begin selling some hot scooter parts. I want to offer regular customers a way to get a deal choosing Bikernet. Let me know your thoughts. We’re thinking about carrying Cyril Huze’s line of wild stuff. Headwinds headlight line up and perhaps quality front ends from Perse. Of course we’ll continue to carry HA leather, Crime Inc and Joker Apparel.
Just one more Jack Daniels before the authorities come after me. See ya next week.
–Bandit
FROM THE DESK OF LAYLA–We were having some issues with bringing up the submissions of our Free Contest, however, Digital Disaster has worked out all the kinks. You guys were probably wondering if anyone ever really won anything. Well you do. I have a basement load of prizes ready for shipment and I’ve already picked a few winners. They’ll be posted in next weeks news. www.bikernet.com/contest
I know you’ve been waiting a long time but Sin and I are gonna be busy for a couple of days.
Bandit mentioned people coming for him in white coats and being out of touch for a couple days. Well, the big guy had to go in for a little surgery this morning. Too much lifting weights and motorcycle engines finally caught up with him,(no deers involved). I was suppose to launch the news this morning but decided to give the headquarters a Spring clean instead. Sorry about that but at least it’s still on time. The surgery went well and he’s resting, but now comes the work. Men, they’re worse than babies when they don’t feel good.
Speaking of men not feeling well, I also want to wish Chris Tronolone a speedy recovery. He flew here to California from Hawaii to buy a motorcylce and has been in the hospital with Pneumonia ever since he returned home. I hope you feel better soon Chris, we miss your jokes.
One more for my sis. Chris Kranzler AKA- She-Wolf, has been battling Mutiple Sclerosis and not winning much. She contributed numerous articles to Bikernet that added a female touch and now she is silent. I miss her stories and I know she misses writing them. You’re on my mind constantly Chris, and I miss and love you.
Layla
February 20, 2003 Part 3
By Bandit |
Continued From Page 2
BIKERNET LAWSUIT OF THE WEEK–Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware, successfully sued the owner of a night club in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom window to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth.
This occurred while Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.
JAPAN LEADS IN TECHNOLOGY AND SKIRTS–What you see are not see-thru skirts. They are actually prints onthe skirts to make it look as if the panties are visible and it’s the currentragein Japan.
I suppose at least you could choose what sort of butt profile you’d like
–Rogue
BEACH RIDE UPDATE– The Queen Mary Long Beach contract for august 31 is expected 2/25. Micah, the president, and I will make a site check on 2/24 at the national orange show Pavillion in San Bernardino where we have a 9 am meeting with the rep there. We have a Beach Ride hold for Sept. 28 at that site. Both venues (Queen Mary and Orange Show) want the food and beverage concessions. The rental fees are comparable. At the core meeting, we will review contracts, report on the sites, and discuss our participation at the July 20 LA Calendar Show in Long Beach. I should also have a budget by then.
Carmela Anne Burke, MPA
Director of Development and Communications
(310) 845-8060
(310) 922-3218 (cell)
Bikernet has supported the Beach Ride for the Exceptional Childrens Foundation for five years. They lost their Ventura, California site after the Laughlin fight, which costs their fund raising efforts substantially. The Beach Ride was their largest fund raising event.
BANDIT’S CANTINA TOAST OF THE NIGHT–John O’Reilly hoisted his beer and said, “Here’s tospending the restof me life, Between the legs of me wife!” That wonhim the top prize forthe best toast of the night!
He went home and told his wife, Mary, “I won theprize for the besttoast of the night.”
She said, “Aye, what was your toast?”
John said, “Here’s to spending the rest of me life,Sitting in churchbeside me wife.”
“Oh that is very nice indeed, John!” Mary said. Thenext day, Mary raninto one of John’s toasting buddies on the streetcorner.
The manchuckled leeringly and said, “John won the prize,the other night, witha toast about you, Mary.”
She said, “Aye and I was abit surprised meself! You know, he’s only been there twice! Once hefell asleep, and theother time I had to pull him by the ears to make himcome!
–from Rev Carlr
from Rev CarlR
BIKERNET WAR CORRESPONDENT–Interviews Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf:”WORRYING ABOUT GOING TO WAR WITHOUT THE FRENCH IS LIKE WORRYING ABOUT GOING DEER HUNTING WITHOUT YOUR ACCORDION”
–from Al Friedman
HEALTH INSURANCE BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS– When motorcyclists worked together to pass legislation through Congress to ensure health insurance availability for motorcycle riders a few years ago, those efforts were eventually negated when the Clinton administration ruled that the federal government cannot dictate insurance coverages to state insurers. But now, U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced “The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act,” to end insurance discrimination by closing the loophole that has allowed insurance carriers to deny benefits to those who are injured while participating in so-called risky activities such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing and horseback riding.
“From riding Harley Davidson motorcycles to visiting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, these activities are part of Wisconsin’s heritage and economy,” Feingold said. “It simply doesn’t make sense to exclude those participating in these activities from health care benefits.”
This legislation, introduced February 14, aims to promote health care parity for participants in legal transportation and recreational activities, and addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services rule that prohibits employers from denying health care coverage to motorcyclists and others who participate in what is deemed a risky activity, but yet allows insurers to deny benefits to insureds if they are injured while participating in those activities.
Check the Bikernet Right Department for the full story.
NEW YORK CITY CONSIDERS LIMITS ON NOISE AND “DAREDEVIL RIDING”– Two New York City council members and the city’s public advocate have proposed limits on motorcycle noise and daredevil riding, allowing the city to impound motorcycles and levy hefty fines or jail terms for repeat offenders.
Sponsored by Councilman Bill de Blasio, the legislation focuses on motorcycles like a “Pop-a-Wheelie Kawasaki, which encourages riding on one wheel, and excessively loud Harley-Davidsons,” such as one on display with straight pipes that “could wake Mayor La Guardia,” De Blasio told the New York Times.
“COLORS” LAWSUIT GOES TO FEDERAL COURT– A case currently pending in the 9th District U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco could soon decide if the Gilroy Garlic Festival?s policy restricting “gang colors” is constitutional. The debate revolves around an incident that took place at the 2000 Gilroy Garlic Festival when four Top Hatters Motorcycle Club members were removed by Gilroy police officers after refusing to take off their vests.
Immediately following the incident, the club filed a lawsuit against the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the City of Gilroy claiming the policy was a violation of their freedom of association and speech.
“The plaintiffs are not seeking any money in the lawsuit, only a change in policy and lawyers’ fees,” said Randolph Hammock, the plaintiffs’ Los Angeles-based attorney with the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester.
photo from Buckshot
PENNSYLVANIA PUSHES PRO-MOTORCYCLE LEGISLATION– Moving quickly on the momentum of last year’s victories (removing handle the bar height restriction, increased funding for the Motorcycle Safety Program, allowing for more than one bike in a metered space, and reduced turnpike tolls for bikes), ABATE of Pennsylvania has introduced a helmet law modification bill with 19 co-sponsors.
“That’s much more support than previous years when we had about four co-sponsors,” said John Mullendore, ABATE Legislative Coordinator. “Senator Wozniak wants to pass this in the first 100 days of session. It looks like riding lidless will be legal in Pennsylvania this year if our members keep the pressure on. We gained four to five yes votes in the election and that was all that was holding us up before.”
ABATE also reintroduced a bill to create a Veteran’s license plate for bikes, and a bill to increase penalties for right-of-way violations. A bill to include motorcycles in the state’s Lemon Law was also introduced.
–photo from Bob T.
AIR BAGS NOW AVAILABLE — During an airing on cable’s Speed Vision of “On Any Sunday Revisited,” a look back at the classic motorcycle racing movie, a commercial came on featuring Evel Kneivel. The spot talked about what a great jumper he was, but that he was also a spectacular crasher.
Then Evel appears on the screen and says, “If I’d been wearing one these airvests then, I wouldn’t need this cane now,” and goes on to claim that it will save more lives than any other safety device ever invented and marketed to the public.
We’ve all heard of these devices, and knew it would only be a matter of time before they were marketed here in the United States, and they are now available through the Internet at airvest.com, or you can order by phone for $499.95, or $299.95 for kid sizes.
Continued On Page 4